Voelte attacks media reform package

Seven’s Don Voelte says the media reform package is “a blunt attempt to impose government influence on what the media reports on any issue. It is simply not correct to describe this as ‘light touch regulation’ on any level”. Photo: Sasha Woolley

In a column for The Australian
, Mr Voelte wrote that legislation currently before the parliament to establish a Public Interest Media Advocate will not build a strong and vigorous news culture in Australia.

“It is a blunt attempt to impose government influence on what the media reports on any issue. It is simply not correct to describe this as ‘light touch regulation’ on any level,” he wrote.

“This is not invoking a scare campaign. But right now, I am fearful for the future of Australia.”

Senator Conroy’s media reforms include the introduction of a public interest test on media mergers that will be overseen by a separate, government appointed advocate; PIMA. The new body will also oversee the independent Press Council. The media reforms also include abolishing the “reach rule” restricting free-to-air television mergers.

Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes has slammed all aspects of the new bills while News Ltd chief executive Kim Williams said he would challenge the introduction of the PIMA in the High Court if necessary.

In his column, Mr Voelte identifies common values between his birthplace, the United States, and Australia. He said Senator Conroy’s proposal could “never happen in the US”.

“The first amendment to the US constitution says congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech or of the press,” he wrote. “Australia does not have such a clear-cut constitutional guarantee of media freedom but by convention, it has always been a cornerstone of our democracy.”